Our Youth, Twenty-Five

Ep. I Love That Winter

On a snowy winter day, in the classroom at the beginning of the new semester, by the window
Yoon-ha sat down and looked out the window. The class was noisy with students, but it felt like she was in another world.
I didn't care. I just stared blankly at the falling snow.
She was there but didn't say anything. The students looked at Yoon-ha with a strange look and were busy talking among themselves.


Scratch scratch scratch -


The voices of the students who were busy talking died down, and soon
There was a murmur from the corner of my eye. It all seemed to be a mess.
The students' gazes were fixed on one boy. He had a handsome, white face, like a rabbit's, and a tall, well-built body.
The boy smiled at the students watching him as he passed by. The girls blushed.


Tak -


Yoon-ha, who had been quiet, raised her head at the sound of the bag being put down.
I looked at the other person. The other person was a boy who had become very popular the moment he arrived at school. The boy's eyes were blank.
He extended his hand towards Yoon-ha.



"Hello, I'm Choi Soo-bin. Please take care of me."



Choi Soo-bin. His name tag caught her eye. It sparkled in the sunlight that had briefly filtered through, as if by fate. Even though they were meeting for the first time, he seemed to be whispering in an infinitely affectionate tone. Yoon-ha stared intently at the hand he had shaken, sighed, and took it.



"Lee Yoon-ha."


Yoon-ha's first words were short. Without even the usual greeting of 'hello', she only told me her name and the book she was reading.
I turned my gaze back to the book.

In that situation, Subin scratched her head in embarrassment and turned her body forward. As if they had been waiting, the students looked at Subin.
He came to the table and asked me all sorts of questions. I thought he was flustered.
Soobin asked with a friendly smile, as if she was used to it.
I answered that question, and when the teacher came in, one by one, I sat down with a feeling of regret.


Ding dong dang dong -



As the bell rang for recess, the class erupted into commotion again, and as expected, the students returned to Soobin's seat. Yoonha, who was reading a book, frowned, slightly uncomfortable by the noise. Soobin, unsure of how to see that,
As soon as he saw Yoon-ha's expression, he spoke kindly to his friends.


"Guys, I'm sorry, but can you please go to your seats now?
"I think Yoon-ha is uncomfortable."


The students nodded their heads in a lukewarm response to Soobin's words.
He nodded and went to his seat. Yoon-ha's expression finally relaxed.
Subin went next to her, watched her read a book quietly, and then opened his mouth.


"'The end of this maze will be happiness' I like this book too."



Subin smiles and talks as if he saw the title of the book Yoonha is reading. Yoonha is startled by the sudden voice and looks to the side.
I saw it and nodded quietly at Subin's words. In fact
This was Yoon-ha's favorite book, and since many people don't know it, I assumed Subin wouldn't know it either, but she does, and she likes it too. She's always been interested in books, so I read them often, and when Subin said she also enjoyed reading, I felt like there was a connection between them.



"Not many people know about this book, but it's amazing that you do."



"I like books as much as you do, and I enjoy reading them."




Was it from then?

The more time we spend together, the more we spend together.



They were always together at school and chatted or met up on weekends. Maybe that's why the two of them became close in a short period of time.
We were able to become close. The way we spoke and acted was different from when we first met.
In terms of expressions. I should say that even the way they look at each other has changed.


"Hey, Choi Soo-bin, let's go here later. It's a good restaurant."



"Anyway, that Lee Yoon-ha pig~"



"Oh really, I told you not to call me a pig!"



Even at school, these two were so famous that everyone knew them. As the time spent with Subin piled up, Yoon-ha also found herself harboring feelings for Subin. Whenever she saw Subin, her heart would race like crazy even if she didn't do anything.
I ran, and every single action felt exciting in itself.



".. Crazy, I think I like Choi Soo-bin"




However, Choi Soo-bin was the most popular girl in school and was often confessed to several times a day. But, I
How can I confess... I wonder if he is depressed with thoughts like this, and Choi Soo-bin gives him a chocolate milk and sits next to him.




"Chocolate milk. You look like you have something on your mind."




How quick are you to notice that I am worried?
I asked affectionately. Thump thump - my heart rate is accelerating.
It was the same. Why is he looking at me like that?
My face turned red for no reason and I coughed for no reason.



" .. It's nothing? Okay, your friend called.
It seems urgent, so let's go quickly."



He incited Choi Soo-bin by turning the fire around as if he was deliberately chasing her away.
If this continues, won't he find out that he really likes me? After Choi Soo-bin left, he took a deep breath, holding back his pounding heart. .. But does he even like me? What if he doesn't..?



"I don't know, I need to go to the bathroom."



With a trembling heart and a smile threatening to escape, I walked towards the bathroom, harboring a sense of anticipation.





Swish -


I went to the bathroom, washed my hands, and went to class, but no one was there.
From a corner of the warehouse, I heard someone speaking softly. Listening closely, I realized, "Huh?" It was Choi Soobin.
It sounded like a voice. What's going on here? I leaned against the door, curious, and listened in on the conversation.




"Hey, Choi Soo-bin, be honest. Are you even a little interested in Lee Yoon-ha?"



"Lee Yoon-ha? I just think of her as a friend."



"Oh really? I thought you liked each other because you two were always together."



"What are you talking about lol"



"No, really. You're only kind and affectionate to him, so if someone saw you, they'd think you were dating, lol."



"I don't like him, I just think of him as a close friend. I've never once thought of him as a romantic interest, lol."



"If Lee Yoon-ha hears this, she'll be really sad."



"Lee Yoon-ha, why her?"




I felt dazed, as if someone had hit my head. I thought you cared at least a little about me... Sadness and resentment.
And anger and resentment. I hit my fist with the countless emotions that came flooding in.
I held on tight. You said you didn't like me, so why were you always so affectionate and kind to me? You were always the first to come running when I was sick, and you told me I was pretty.
Was it all a lie..?

Finally, the tears I'd been holding back burst out. How could you... How could you do this to me? I forgot I was even in a school hallway, and I ran, tears streaming down my face, not caring. I liked you, I loved you, but what was I to you all this time? Just a friend, really?



"..I really liked it."



I sat alone on the wall, staring blankly at the setting sun. It was a cold, snowy winter, but
Even that was bright and warmly illuminated by the red sunset.

Well, they say first love never comes true.
I also let out a laugh, thinking that I was funny.


- Even if you forget this season,
I love this winter season with you.